British sports car manufacturer Lotus has revealed the swansong edition of its hardcore 3-Eleven sports machine, called the Lotus 3-Eleven 430.
Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales commented on the special vehicle:
“The development of the original 3-Eleven focused our thoughts on a Lotus of pure simplicity and advanced our thinking on the sports cars of the future. The 3-Eleven 430 is the ultimate conclusion of that work, a super car killer and something that we’re all immensely proud of.”
Only 20 examples will be built, with careful attention paid to every aspect of performance, weight, downforce, aesthetics and body rigidity.
The engine- a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 borrowed from Toyota- is now producing 320KW and 440Nm, yielding a 10km/h higher top speed at 290km/h and a 0-100km/h sprint of 3.2 seconds, which is 0.1 second quicker than the regular 3-Eleven.
Kerb weight has been reduced to 920kg, thanks to a different weave used on the carbon-composite panels that surround the extruded aluminium chassis. Downforce at high speed increases by 44kg to 265kg, thanks to a straight-cut rear spoiler, more serious carbon-fibre front splitter with a angrier angle of attack and rear diffuser revisions.
It will stop better too, thanks to AP Racing four-piston calipers and J-Hook 332mm brake discs. What do you think of the 2018 Lotus 3-Eleven 430? Tell us in the comment section below.
